I just leave the mount outside permanently setup under a sealed and insulated garbage bin. Like this.
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...Pier-Movie.gif
Details here:
http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/12...r/page__st__20
(Thanks to Bojan for the idea)
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...Pier-Movie.gif
It would work just as well on a tripod.
You basically lift the lid, pop the counterweight on, throw the scope on and check the alignment, which is usually fine and be up and running in ten minutes.